As the four-day ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas continues, Hamas has officially released a third group of hostages. This latest batch of hostages includes the first American Abigail Edan.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that 14 Israeli citizens and three foreign nationals were released on Sunday, November 26.
This release is part of an agreement between Qatar and both Hamas and Israel to negotiate a four-day ceasefire. According to the agreement, Hamas agreed to free 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinians detained by Israel. Of those 13 are now back in Israeli territory while four have been sent to Rafah Crossing.
One hostage was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital according to CNN reports. Nine of these hostages are under 18 years old with two being just four years old; there are also four over 40 years old, per Israeli officials.
Based on information that was received from the Red Cross, 14 Israeli hostages and three foreign national hostages have been transferred to the Red Cross.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 26, 2023
Abigail Edan is one of three Americans identified among the 50 slated for release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel according to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s comments on CNN prior to her freedom being confirmed. A dual citizen born in America but kidnapped from her home in Israel on October 7th during a terror attack that claimed her parent’s lives – her father used his body as a shield protecting his daughter from harm during this tragedy – she was only 4 days short of turning 4 when she was taken hostage.
President Biden commented on the news stating “she’s free” and expressed hope that she will receive “supportive services she needs” after suffering such terrible trauma at such an early age.
Though Edan is now safe it is unclear if the remaining two Americans held hostage will be included in Monday’s final release date or not as only one day remains within this truce period set up between Hamas and Qatar. Sullivan noted that they were still expecting two mothers however there has been no confirmation yet whether they too will be freed today or not.
